Situation Report Azores, Wednesday 4th March 2026
From our corresspondent in the Azores
Mini-tornado damages greenhouses in Vila Franca do Campo
A mini-tornado caused significant damage to pineapple greenhouses in the parish of São Miguel, municipality of Vila Franca do Campo, on Sunday. No injuries were reported.
According to the Mayor of Vila Franca do Campo, Graça Melo, the phenomenon occurred during the afternoon in the Santo Amaro area, damaging pineapple greenhouses that were in production. She also indicated that there were reports of damage to the eaves of some houses.
“The mini-tornado affected a very concentrated area, causing damage to several greenhouses, with windows being projected onto the public road,” Graça Melo explained. Municipal services were deployed immediately to clean up the affected area.
The President of the São Miguel Parish Council, Luís Gomes, added that several vehicles also sustained damage, particularly broken windows, and noted that the full extent of the damage is still being assessed.
Lajes Air Base maintains intense activity of U.S. refuelling aircraft
Lajes Air Base, located on Terceira Island, has been experiencing intense activity from United States military aircraft, particularly refuelling planes, since the U.S. and Israel carried out attacks on Iran.
On Monday morning, only four of the 15 KC‑46 Pegasus refuelling aircraft stationed at the base for more than a week departed. On Sunday alone, these aircraft carried out 13 sorties. Five refuelling planes took off in the morning and returned in the early afternoon, while eight aircraft departed later in the day in two separate groups, returning to base at night.
Although no official information has been released, the aircraft are believed to be refuelling U.S. military planes travelling between the United States and the Middle East. Departure times and flight durations have varied.
Since 18 February, there has been a noticeable increase in U.S. military air traffic at Lajes Air Base. In addition to the 15 refuelling aircraft, the base has hosted 12 F‑16 Viper fighter jets, a C‑17 Globemaster III cargo aircraft, and a C‑5M Super Galaxy, the largest strategic transport aircraft operated by the U.S. Air Force.
On Friday, the day before the attack on Iran, two refuelling aircraft departed Lajes in the early afternoon and returned at night. On Saturday, five aircraft took off and also returned during the night. Several C‑130 transport aircraft from the U.S. Air Force and Navy have also passed through the base. Additionally, a P‑8 Poseidon aircraft, designed for anti‑submarine warfare, departed from Lajes on Saturday.
Carlos Farinha appointed Regional Director of Tourism
Economist Carlos Farinha has been appointed the new Regional Director of Tourism for the Regional Government of the Azores, replacing Rosa Costa, who had held the position since 12 April 2024 under the Regional Secretariat for Tourism, Mobility and Infrastructure of the XIV Azores Government.
The appointment was announced in Lisbon by the Regional Secretary for Tourism, Mobility and Infrastructure, Berta Cabral. Carlos Farinha is expected to take office on 1 March.
Since 2022, Carlos Farinha has served as a visiting professor at the University of the Azores, Faculty of Economics and Management (FEG). His academic and professional background is closely linked to economics, management, and institutional communication. He is a member of the Order of Economists and a founding member of the National Doctoral Students Movement. He has also worked in marketing and communication for the Azores Regional Section of the Order of Nurses.
Carlos Farinha completed his doctorate in Economic and Business Sciences in February 2026 at the University of the Azores. His doctoral thesis was entitled “Key Determinants of Customer Satisfaction in Tourism and Hospitality.”